If you want to travel the West Coast in a not-so-conventional way, Ride down South’s Cederberg motorcycle tour is it. Hundreds of kilometers of back roads on the West Coast are sufficiently scenic to put the most grandiose highways to shame. That fact alone should serve as inspiration to escape the humdrum on a biker vacation.
Three days and 950 km of whoopee beckon. You’ll be in safe hands too. Tour leader Andrew Vaughan is a licensed adventure tour guide with 12 years and 105 000 km of motorcycle guiding experience under the belt.
Saddled on either a Honda Africa Twin XRV 750 or CRF1000 motorcycle, get cracking on the N7 to Riebeek-Kasteel and then follow the byways to a pitstop in Clanwilliam. Onwards to Vanrhynsdorp and over Van Rhyn’s Pass to Nieuwoudtville. With the otherworldly Sandveld scenery in your face, the last leg loops to your overnight stop at the floral kingdom’s Serengeti – Papkuilsfontein.
On day two, the ride cuts through the thrilling Botterkloof Pass, the Cederberg backcountry (a mecca for dirt lovers!) and back to Clanwilliam. Here, you can catch some shut-eye at Traveller’s Rest. Day three’s line-up includes traversing the desolate Koue Bokkeveld, over the giddying Gydo Pass into Ceres and then tackling Michel’s and Bainskloof passes enroute home.
Cost: R19 200 (includes bike rental, fuel, oil, insurance, 3-star accommodation, breakfasts & tour guide). Book: 079 6977110.
